Planning Your Great Escape

Whatever your idea of the perfect honeymoon, one of these six post-nuptial getaways is sure to please.

• By Tara Mandy
• Published Spring 2005

1. We're getting married in the winter, and want to plan a romantic ski vacation.

But we blew all our money on the wedding, so Gstaad is out of the question. Nestled among the Green Mountains in the small valley town of Warren, Vermont, the Pitcher Inn makes up for what it lacks in Swiss Alpine glamour with New England charm. Just ten minutes from the slopes at Sugarbush, the inn coddles newlyweds with romantic touches like wood-burning fireplaces and, upon request, suites filled with candles and champagne. The historic white clapboard inn has just eleven rooms: One has a king-size bed fashioned out of tree trunks; another is decorated with antique barn supplies. For dinner, reserve the private table in the wine cellar; you’ll be served first-rate fare like cornmeal blini with caviar and roast breast of squab with foie gras, prepared almost exclusively with locally grown ingredients (a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings is $100 per person). You're there to ski, but consider skipping the trails one afternoon, and instead let yourselves be pampered in the couples' suite at the brand-new spa. You can, say, have simultaneous massages, followed by a hearty country lunch prepared just for the two of you.
Details: 802-496-6350; pitcherinn.com; from $330, including breakfast and afternoon tea.

2. We love the islands, but Tahiti is too far and the Caribbean seems old hat.
Santorini is arguably the most romantic island in the world. Your best bet is to book one of the newer suites at the Astra Hotel, in the small cliff-top village of Imerovigli. Some of the suites have outdoor Jacuzzis, others private infinity pools; all are blessed with spectacular views of a neighboring volcano crater and the Skaros castle ruins. Nearby, you can shop for gold in the capital of Fira; stroll the sleepy, white-washed villages that cling to the rim of the caldera; take in a sunset from the castle ruins in Oia; or linger over a chilled white wine at any of the myriad waterfront tavernas that serve up charcoal-grilled daily catch (octopus, sardines, sea bass). Alternatively, just sleep in (breakfast is served until noon), lounge by the pool, and watch the sunset over the sparkling Aegean from your own private terrace. Be sure to take in at least one candlelit dinner at Selene, considered by many to be the best restaurant on Santorini.
Details: The weather in the Greek islands is ideal in May, June, and September; avoid the reveling crowds of July and August. 011-30-22860-23641; astra.gr; $425-$837.